Former World champion, Vivian Harris, goes after IBF/NABF Light/Middleweight title tomorrow night

By Michael Benjamin
The pundits have written him off saying that his best days in boxing are over but former World Boxing

Vivian Harris

Association Light/Welterweight champion, Vivian Harris, is out to prove them wrong when he steps into the ring tomorrow night against Mexican Ramon Alvarez for the IBF/NABF Light/Middleweight title in Guanajuato, Mexico.
This is Harris’ 33rd professional bout after he was successful in his last against Jorge Paez (Jnr.) in March this year. Word out of Harris’ camp is that the former world champion is in tip top shape and rearing to go.
He will not have it easy against an opponent that has amassed 20 wins as against 4 losses ever since his professional career began in January 2008. Alvarez had lost his first fight to Augustin Marquez but has managed to compile a decent record that sports a knockout percentage ratio of 46.15. He was victorious in his last 6 bouts, his last being a unanimous verdict against Omar Chavez in September.
Harris became Guyana’s fourth world champion after knocking out Diosbelys Hurtado in the second round in September 2002 for the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the International Boxing Association (IBA) Light/Welterweight titles.
He defended that title three times before his shock defeat to little known, Columbian, Carlos Maussa. Harris rebounded with three wins against Marteze Logan, Steve Johnson and Juan Lazcano, all on points before slipping once again with a loss to Junior Witter for the WBC Light/Welterweight title in Yorkshire England.
His next nine fights were unflattering with 1 win, 1 no contest, 1 draw and 6 losses. He was to have fought for the WBA Inter-Continental title but after travelling all the way to the United Kingdom, those authorities cancelled the bout after he had failed medical tests.
Harris was incensed and was quoted then as saying, “The British Boxing Board of Control will not let me have a medical over here and are sending me back to America in the morning so there is no more time to test to see if I am fit. I am in great shape thanks to Jesus and God for giving me a second chance in boxing. My skills are at the best ever, I am punching harder than ever you would see the old Vivian Harris but even better. I would have won!! I hope to be in the ring soon, God willing, and take each fight as a step closer to becoming a two weight world champion!”
True to his word, Harris had rebounded with victories over Shakha Moore and Danny O’Connor with his last bout against Jorge Paez (Jnr.) occurring in March this year. He has fought 32 times, lost nine while stopping 19 of his opponents with a knockout ratio of 43.18.
Alvarez is currently the World Boxing Organization North American Boxing Organization (WBONABO) champion. He has 20 wins (12 by KO) with 4 losses. He drew 2 of his bouts and has a knockout ratio of 46.15. He last fought in September and registered a win against Mexican, Omar Chavez.